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US Expands Beef and Pork Trade with Mexico and Peru

US - The US has reached agreements allowing US beef and pork producers greater access to markets in Mexico and Peru.

Two agreements will allow US producers to export slaughter cattle to Mexico and expand access to consumer markets in Peru for US fresh and chilled pork.

"Our priority at USDA is not only to open or reopen markets for our producers, but to help drive U.S. economic growth through trade by supporting and creating American jobs on and off the farm," said Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack (pictured).

"Mexico is an important market for US cattle producers, with the potential to import $15 million of live U.S. cattle per year and we expect Peru's market could generate $5 million annually in additional pork sales."

The United States and Mexico reached an agreement that takes effect immediately and will allow US producers to export slaughter cattle to Mexico for the first time in over a decade.

The USDA said it has been working with Mexico since 2008 to reopen this market and the final agreement was reached between USDA Under Secretary Ed Avalos and Enrique Sanchez-Cruz with SAGARPA during meetings last week in Washington.

The USDA had also been conducting negotiations with Peru's Servicio National De Sanidad Agraria (SENASA) since 2012 to expand access for US fresh, chilled pork and pork products.